Baukjen & Vanessa

WELCOME TO BAUKJEN & VANESSA'S DIARY

We are Vanessa Knox-Brien and Baukjen de Swaan Arons, the founders of Isabella Oliver. We started the business in 2003 for pregnant women who love clothes. Read our online diary here...

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Gwen Stefani looks stunning in Isabella Oliver

She is loved internationally for her iconic sense of style, and Gwen Stefani has been spotted in our maternity collection.

“She has looked fantastic from the first sign of a bump” Isabella Oliver co-founder Baukjen tells People magazine in their ‘Gwen’s Chic Pregnancy’ feature. The article captures Gwen wearing the Ruched Cami for a relaxed everyday look.

We wish her all the best.


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Posted by Holly at 11:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Minnie Driver loves Isabella Oliver

Looking gorgeous with her pregnancy curves, Minnie Driver chose to wear the Isabella Oliver Wrap Dress at an event to promote her TV series at the weekend.

On Isabella Oliver she said “Since I’ve been pregnant it’s my very favorite store"

Minnie looks wonderful in the crimson red dress and we wish her all the best.


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This image is courtesy of People.com

Posted by ClaireB at 01:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack


Marcia Cross & Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon

Someone kindly sent us an article with pictures showing Marcia Cross and Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon when they were pregnant and wearing Isabella Oliver. It's lovely to hear about how they are doing after the birth of their twins.

Marcia was wearing the Ruffle Wrap Dress and Garcelle was wearing the Satin Bow Dress.

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Posted by ClaireB at 04:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


The Audrey Dress

Good morning.

Since the coverage of Jessica Alba wearing the Audrey dress for her baby shower went around the internet, the sales of the dress have gone crazy. It's been really nice to see pieces written on websites such as Marie Claire, OSoYou.com and US Magazine.com (US weekly's website). If you'd like to see a selection of these, just click on the links.

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Posted by ClaireB at 11:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Tiffany Fallon wearing Isabella Oliver dress

Tiffany Fallon is wearing the Isabella Oliver Ruffle Wrap Dress in Plum here. Tiffany just starred in the US Celebrity Apprentice and is expecting her first child with her musician husband Joe Don Rooney. We wish her all the best!

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Posted by ClaireB at 09:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Take a Bow

It seems that bows are big this season for both day and evening wear. We spotted this article in last week's Grazia and loved Kate Winslet's chic strapless little black dress.

If you're looking for something similar, the shape of the Satin Bow Dress will flatter pregnancy curves, whilst the sumptuous black satin bow ensures you are right on trend.

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Posted by ClaireB at 11:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Angelina Jolie

We love this article that's just come out on Modern Mom. To put any rumours to rest, there is no Belle Epoque dress on the way to her.

If Angelina Decides to Tie the Knot, We’ve Got the Dress!
By Natasha Burton

"Rumors were circulating that Angelina and Brad were going to make their union official through marriage...so we at Mommywood decided to find her the perfect designer for her wedding dress. Since Angie is pregnant, we thought that London-based maternity designer Isabella Oliver would be the ideal choice for a gown. Isabella Oliver is a favorite of many other celebs moms, including Amanda Peet, Marcia Cross, Heidi Klum, Tori Spelling, Julianne Margulies, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Now, the super chic—and forward-thinking!—maternity line has introduced a bridal collection. It features three signature styles: Belle Époque (a fantasy wedding gown with a Grecian-style twist), the Audrey (a sexy-chic, Old-Hollywood dress), and the Maxi (a more beachy, relaxed gown). I think Angie would love the Audrey style, with its wide gathered straps over the shoulders and flowy silken pleats, it would float perfectly over her figure. It also has a knee-baring split in the front for that sexy edge she’s know for. If she and Brad don’t end up taking a trip down the aisle, perhaps Angie could get a gown made in her favorite red-carpet color, black, so she could recycle the dress for a black-tie fete."

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Posted by ClaireB at 03:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Giada Di Laurentiis

Beautiful celebrity chef Giada Di Laurentiis is pictured here at Fettuccine and Fiorentina wearing the Isabella Oliver Wrap Dress in black. The exclusive Food and Wine festival evening event was held in Miami, FL on 23rd February and hosted by Mario Batali, Jamie Oliver and David Manero, with support from Danny DeVito.

At eight months pregnant, Giada is looking fabulous, choosing to layer her Wrap Dress with white for a monochrome look.

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Image courtesy of Celebrity Baby Blog.

Posted by ClaireB at 05:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Academy Awards

Appearances from celebrities Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman at Sundays Academy Awards inspired an article in the Los Angeles Times Blog speculating the dresses chosen by the pregnant stars for the prestigious awards evening. We think Cate and Nicole look absolutely glowing in gowns by Dries Van Noten and Balenciaga respectively.

It is always fascinating and inspiring to see how celebrities dress whilst pregnant, especially when it comes to red carpet events.

Looking glamorous whilst pregnant is achievable without having Hollywood star sized budgets. To flatter your pregnant form, the blog recommends The Wrap Column Dress for any black tie, plus we would also suggest The Audrey Dress in Oyster for Summer events and the Satin Bow Dress or Drop Waist Dress for anything less ‘red carpet’.

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Posted by ClaireB at 03:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


US Weekly Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon

If you love IsabellaOliver.com you can vote for us in USMagazine.com's pole which features Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon looking fabulous in our Satin Bow Dress (now with 20% Off until 24/01/08!)

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Posted by at 09:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Melissa Joan Hart

Best known for starring in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Melissa Joan Hart is now expecting her second child. We think she looks gorgeous in the pictures for US Weekly. She is wearing the IsabellaOliver.com Wrap Around Top in Sea and The Wrap Dress in Crimson Red.

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Posted by at 09:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Celebrity-Babies.com

Celebrity-babies.com have spotted these famous mums-to-be wearing Isabella Oliver designs.

Julianna Margulies wearing the Funnel Neck Jacket, Gabrielle Reese in the Ruched Tank Vest and Smooth Line Trousers and Elizabeth Hasselbeck wearing the signature wrap top

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For more celebrities wearing IsabellaOliver.com designs, go to Celebrity-Babies.com. Alternatively, view the whole Isabella Oliver collection.


Posted by at 02:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Jeri Ryan

We just spotted the Fall/Winter issue of US Plum Magazine. The actress Jeri Ryan is featured and we think she looks fabulous in the Isabella Oliver Wrap Column Dress and the Sweater Tunic.

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Posted by claire at 12:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Courtney Thorne-Smith

Here at Isabella Oliver we are very lucky to have a wonderful customer service team who receive many compliments from happy customers. They always put a smile on our faces and today we received a message that’s made us even more proud of the girls! It’s from the actress Courtney Thorne Smith:
“Thanks so much for your extraordinary customer service. I couldn't be more impressed.”
As fans of Melrose Place and Ally McBeal we’re feeling a bit star struck!

Posted by Becky at 09:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Steal Jennifer Lopez’s maternity style with Isabella Oliver

pregnancyfashion.com came up with a fabulous suggestion this week after seeing Jennifer Lopez making her arrival at an LA premier on Saturday. You can be the dark angel to Jennifer’s white dress and steal her radiant look with the Isabella Oliver Wrap Column Dress. This sexy maternity dress has the same dramatic one shoulder drape and flattering cut.

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We have an alternative suggestion if you want to recreate the winter white. Try the Maxi Dress. A romantic maternity dress for enchanted evenings in warm places. Floating from a sexy empire line to the ankle in voluminous cotton and silk crinkle with halter straps and soft sash to twist and tie. Definitely more LA than London at this time of year but gorgeous nonetheless!

Posted by Becky at 09:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Samatha Harris wears Isabella Oliver

Samantha Harris may be best-known for co-hosting the ABC hit series, Dancing With The Stars (which averages more than 30 million viewers weekly), but this month she features on the front cover of Pregnancy and Newborn wearing the Isabella Oliver Mini Wrap Dress. This maternity dress has become an instant hit with celebrities and Isabella Oliver customers.


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Posted by gjoyce at 10:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Julianna Margulies "doing great" with pregnancy and wearing Isabella Oliver

Julianna Margulies was pictured last week wearing the Isabella Oliver Funnel Neck Jacket at the New York City premiere of Before the Devil Knows You're Dying. This is the first red carpet appearance for this maternity coat but has proved to be a hit with celebrities, editors and customers too – we’re really pleased you all have such great taste but we knew you would! Click here to see the pictures on the celebrity baby blog

Posted by Becky at 01:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Red Carpet Wardrobe

Isabella Oliver has many celebrity admirers including Marcia Cross who plays the tightly-wound mother Bree Van DeKamp in Desperate housewives.

On a recent red carpet appearance Marcia Cross wore the Ruffle Wrap Dress in Plum. PregancyFashion.com featured this story and kindly suggested that The Wrap Cardigan would be a great item to snuggle up with. A good recommendation with summer slowly being replaced with autumn chills.

Posted by gjoyce at 04:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Pregnant Charlotte Church wears Isabella Oliver

We're on the cover! Isabella Oliver and Charlotte Church feature on the front cover of this month's Cosmopolitan. Charlotte wears the chartreuse Empire Wrap Dress. The colour looks really great on her and though we don't get a glimpse of her bump we're sure the empire line maternity design is incredibly flattering.

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This dress is one of our maternity best sellers and has been for several seasons. It's a great design, highlighting pregnant curves and the colours (chartreuse and raspberry) are great for summer occasions or for when you want a splash of vibrancy, and then there's chic black for classic glamour.

We're glad Charlotte chose to wear Isabella Oliver - diolch yn fawr Charlotte (that's thank you very much in Welsh if you were wondering!)

Posted by Becky at 07:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Marie Claire

Hello again,

another feature for you to have a look at. Charlotte Church, celebrity presenter, pictured in full flow wearing the Isabella Oliver Wrap Dress in crimson.

The Isabella Oliver Wrap Dress is a staple maternity dress in the closet of many celebrities and television personalilties. It's also a favourite with Isabella Oliver customers and barely gets a chance to sit on our shelves before flying out the door.

You can view the article here...

Posted by gjoyce at 03:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Kim Raver chooses Isabella Oliver

Hi, Claire here

Earlier this week we showed you a lovely picture of Kim Raver in the Isabella Oliver Ruched Tank Dress. Since then one of our favourite pregnancy websites, Celebrity-Babies.com, also spotted the celebrity.

CBB said, 'When it came time for Kim to dress for the event, she looked no further than maternity designer Isabella Oliver, and her 'absolutely favorite' piece from the collection -- the ruched tank dress (on sale for $112.50) in black. With side ruching that can accommodate you from trimester to trimester, and built-in support so you can go bra-less if you choose, the dress is extremely versatile.'

To read the full article click here.

Posted by claire at 04:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Kim Raver Pregnant

Someone just sent us this link of a nice picture of Kim Raver wearing the Isabella Oliver Ruched Tank Dress. Click here to see it.

Posted by baukjen at 10:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Emma Bunton

Hi, Baukjen here. Someone just sent us this featuring the Isabella Oliver Ruched Tank Dress.

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Posted by baukjen at 05:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Myleen Klass in Heat!

Myleen Klass is in Heat today wearing our Ruched Tank Dress on the red carpet and she looks gooooood!! This style and the Twist Dress have been hits lately with the celebrities. We love it when that happens so THANK YOU LADIES!

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Do check out Heat today and www.heatworld.com, their new online magazine- which I just discovered and it is quite addictive- so I've heard...of course, I'm way to busy designing away and doing important stuff to read all about Big Brother 8 and poor Paris Hilton!!!

Vanessa x

Posted by Vanessa at 05:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Sarah Wayne Callies

We have received a few nice emails about Sarah Wayne Callies wearing our clothes at various press events in Europe. Click here to see a picture of her at the Madrid premier wearing our Ruched Tank Dress.

Posted by baukjen at 01:20 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack


Wags Boutique

Hi, Vanessa and Baukjen here. The TV show that we have been filming for last week was on television last night. The show is called WAGS Boutique and consists of two teams who each run a boutique for 13 weeks and have to raise as much money for charity as possible. Every week they also get a challenge. The show approached us to be the experts on this weeks show and to reveal the challenge and monitor their progress. It was fun to do and it was for a good cause so we were happy to help. The show will be rerun in the UK on ITV1 next Monday evening at 11pm after American Idol. The teams made a good effort (its not easy finding pregnant women within 24 hours, we understand that too well) and the girls were really lovely (and past customers) - we loved the nice words from Krystell at the end of the show - we really appreciated hearing such nice feedback. Krystell told us how even non pregnant women were buying some of the clothes with the Portrait Top being a favourite.It was also really great meeting the presenter, June Sarpong, who was absolutely fabulous. Thank you to our UK PR company, More2 for organising this all and being such cheerleaders! Here are some pictures of the days.

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Posted by baukjen at 11:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Nancy O'Dell

Access Hollywood's Nancy 'Dell was filmed wearing the Isabella Oliver Wrap Dress in crimson red. she looked great in the dress, customised to shorten the length and show off her legs. A fan of Isabella Oliver, she then went on to wear the Cap Wrap Around Top in sea.

Click here to see the Wrap Dress article
Click here to see the Wrap Around Top article

Posted by claire at 01:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


Heidi Klum

Pregnancy & Birth magazine featured a great 'Star Style' article on Heidi Klum's pregnancy look this month, with Isabella Oliver making it as the best designs to recreate Heidi's look.

Be as gorgeous as she is in the Turtleneck and Jeans.

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Posted by claire at 04:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack


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